prophet

A prophet is a person believed to convey messages from a divine or higher power to people. In many traditions, prophets communicate the will of the deity, exhort communities to moral reform, and sometimes foretell future events. The word derives from the Greek prophetes, meaning “one who speaks forth,” through Latin and Old French into English.

Prophecy is typically viewed as inspired speech or vision. Some traditions emphasize miracles or signs that accompany a message, while others stress moral and social reform as the core content of prophetic messages. Authenticity criteria vary, but many communities require consistency with affirmed scriptures and fidelity to the divine source.

In Judaism, classical prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel communicated God’s will within a covenantal framework and warned of consequences for disobedience. In Christianity, the Old Testament prophets are part of sacred scripture, and some traditions view Jesus as fulfilling prophetic roles. In Islam, prophets (nabi) are chosen messengers of God; Muhammad is regarded as the final prophet (seal of the prophets). Other recognized prophets include Moses (Musa) and Jesus (Isa). Some scholars distinguish rasul—prophets who bring a written scripture—from other prophets who convey revelation by word or vision.

In contemporary use, “prophet” can refer to religious leaders who claim direct revelation or to individuals who predict events. Secular and academic approaches study prophecy as a social and historical phenomenon, noting its influence on culture, politics, and religious practice. See also prophecy, revelation, seer.